Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek out next two games

Field Level Media|published: 05/03/2026, 3:12pm EDT

Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) celebrates a goal scored by left wing Matt Boldy (not pictured) against the Dallas Stars during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild will play without center Joel Eriksson Ek for at least the first two games of their Western Conference second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche, coach John Hynes said prior to Sunday's Game 1.

Eriksson Ek was hurt in the clinching Game 6 of the first-round series against the Dallas Stars when his right leg smacked into the wall. He didn't accompany the team to Denver.

Hynes said he was "hopeful" Eriksson Eck could play in Game 3 on Saturday in Minneapolis.

Ek, 29, had three goals and five points in the Dallas series. In the regular season, he had 19 goals and 51 points in 70 games.

Defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) also didn't make the trip to Denver. The team ruled out the 32-year-old for the first two games on Saturday.

--Field Level Media